Palace of Justice to have open house for students

Hundreds of students from various public elementary and high schools in Cebu City will have the chance to roam around the different courtrooms of the four-story Palace of Justice on September 19.

Chief clerk of court Jeoffrey Joaquino said the Supreme Court ordered the whole day "open house" for the students to visit and view the courts.

No trial will be held that day to allow judges to entertain their young guests, but there is a plan to hold a mock trial inside the court rooms just to give the students an idea of how the hearing of cases is conducted.

Joaquino said they already sent a letter to Cebu City schools division superintendent Leonilo Oliva to encourage the Grade 6 and high school students of different public schools to join the activity.

Similar activities will also be held in other parts of the country, Joaquino said.

Some court personnel were already assigned to act as ushers to guide the visitors to different courtrooms.

Aside from visiting the various courtrooms, a video presentation is planned so students would know about the activities in the courts. -Rene U. Borromeo